1. Overview

Card edge connectors - contacts are electrical components that enable printed circuit boards (PCBs) to connect directly to other circuits or devices through their edges. These connectors utilize conductive pads or gold fingers on the PCB edge as contact points, eliminating the need for separate cable assemblies. They are critical in modular electronics design, offering space efficiency, high reliability, and ease of maintenance. Their importance spans computing, telecommunications, industrial automation, and consumer electronics sectors.

2. Main Types & Functional Classification

3. Structure & Components

Typical construction includes: - Contact area with phosphor bronze or beryllium copper terminals (gold-plated for corrosion resistance) - Insulating body using LCP or PBT thermoplastic materials - Polarization keying to prevent misalignment - Mechanical retention features (latches or screws) - EMI shielding contacts in high-speed variants

4. Key Technical Specifications

5. Application Fields

• Computer systems (servers, workstations)
• Telecom infrastructure (5G base stations, optical switches)
• Industrial automation (PLCs, CNC controllers)
• Consumer electronics (gaming consoles, SSDs)

6. Leading Manufacturers & Products

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations: - Required current/voltage ratings with safety margins - Environmental factors (temperature, vibration) - Signal speed requirements (for high-speed digital applications) - Mechanical constraints (board space, insertion force) - Cost-volume trade-offs for production scale

8. Industry Trends

Emerging developments include: - Migration to 0.4mm pitch connectors for mobile devices - Integration of coaxial contacts for 56Gbps+ serial links - Adoption of lead-free surface finishes (ENIG, immersion tin) - Development of hybrid optical-electrical edge interfaces - Increased use of simulation tools for contact reliability prediction